If you do receive financial aid funds while at USC, you will need to complete the W-8BEN Certificate of Foreign Status of Beneficial Owner for United States Tax Form.

With its global outlook and location in a proudly multicultural city, USC offers a warm welcome to international students. Citizens of more than 130 countries comprise 17 percent of the university's student body.

Only U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens are eligible for certain types of financial aid. However, other sources of aid may be available to international students who are not U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens.

Students in USC doctoral programs receive extensive financial support that enables them to devote full attention to their studies.

Private financing. In most cases, students will need to apply for financing with a co-borrower who is a credit-worthy U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident. (Contact lenders directly for citizenship requirements).

California Dream Act Cal Grant:This California state grant program now provides AB540-eligible
students the opportunity to apply for Cal Grant A and Cal Grant B via
the California Dream Act application. To be eligible, students must:

Have attended a (public or private) high school in California for three or more years;

Have graduated from a California high school or attained the equivalent of a high school diploma; and

Be registered as an entering student, or be currently enrolled, at an accredited institution of higher education in California.

In addition:
A student without lawful immigration status must file an AB540
Affidavit (California Non-Resident Tuition Exemption Request form) with
the institution of higher education, stating that the student has filed
or will file an application to legalize his or her immigration status as
soon as he or she is eligible to do so.

California Dream Act Cal Grant recipients are selected based on the
eligibility criteria outlined in the California Dream Act Application
and on the timeliness of their application. California Dream Act
Applications must be received by March 2. Please visit https://dream.csac.ca.gov for more information and an application. Undergraduates awarded a California Dream Grant, and who meet all other eligibility requirements, are considered for limited university funding.